Grocer&#39;s caddy.



Li/karma G. A. SUHMID GROGERS UADDY.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.12.1907.

932,96. I Patented Aug. 24, 1909.

ANDRiW. a. mumu c0. mootu-mnomumzns, msumumn. wc.

UNITED STATES PATENT FETCH.

GUSTAV A. SCI-IMID, OF PEOBIA, ILLINOIS.

GRDOERS CADDY.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUSTAV A. SoHMm, a citizen of the United States,residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and use ful Improvements in Grocers Caddies and Ido hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, which will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to that class of receptacles serving as a reservoirfrom which to draw material, such as tea, coffee, etc., said receptaclesbeing in use by grocers and known to them as caddies.

My invention consists in the use of a stationary base in connection witha removable and independent top therefor and of means for measuring thematerials as they are drawn from the caddy.

My object is to provide a caddy which by reason of the independence ofits-base and top, will enable the grocer to use the base portionconstantly and to fit thereto any number of successive tops.

A further object is to provide in connection with the stationary base,means for delivering therefrom graduated quantities of merchandisecontained therein, whereby weighmg of the same may be obviated, andmeans for regulating the bulk of the graduated quantities that are sodesigned to be delivered from the receptacle.

That my invention may be more fully understood, reference is had to theaccompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a sectional view through the line 2-2 of Fig. 2, a portionof the original package or containing receptacle being broken away; Fig.2 is a front elevation of my device with the top portion of the originalpackage or containing receptacle broken away.

In the drawings, A represents a base which is adapted to be constantlyused by a grocer, upon which successive packages or boxes containingmaterials may be carried. While I have shown this base in rectangularform, it may be made in any form that may be desired. At the top portionof the walls of the receptacle, I have provided the curved flanges Bwhich facilitate the adjustment of the original package upon the base,as will hereinafter be fully described. The upper Specification ofLetters Patent.

Application filed December 12, 1907.

Serial No. 406,133.

portion of the base A is provided with the hopper shaped partition 0,the sides thereof converging to the central portion within which thereis provided the opening D. The walls of the hopper C are continueddownwardly and curved into the form of a trough which runs the entiredistance from the front to the rear of the caddy, and is provided nearits forward end with the opening E. A portion of the upper part of thetrough is provided with a cover F which is provided with lapping edgesadapted to receive the slide G, the said slide being provided with thestud II having a threaded opening therein.

I is a rod journaled at its forward end in the front wall of the caddyand is held in position by collars i, one bearing on each side of thewall thereof. To the forward end of the rod is secured the hand held K,the said rod being carried in the wall of the caddy in such a mannerthat it may be turned readily. The rearward end of the rod I is threadedand carried within the threaded opening in the stud. H so that when thehand hold K is turned and with it the rod I, the stud and the slide willbe moved backwardly or forwardly, according tothe direction of movementof the hand hold.

L is a drawer carried within the caddy and positioned just below theopening E in the conveyer trough.

M is a receptacle adapted to contain materials, such receptacles beingdesigned in the general plan of use of my invention to be made innumbers and such as may be used over and over again or which may besupplied by the manufacturers of the goods designed to be containedtherein or the wholesale house from which the grocer receives his goods.

In the construction of the container, it is designed that the same shallbe provided with the openable bottom such as shown herein, that is, itmay be formed with an opening of any size desired, but it is thoughtpreferable that there shall be left within the openable end of thepackage a marginal edge around the three sides thereof, the side withoutthe margin preferably being the side that is adapted to be placed inposition to conform with the forward face of the caddy upon which it isdesigned to be adjusted. In connection with the original package,'Idesire to employ a slide such as N provided with an upwardly turnedflange as O at its Patented Aug. 24, 19-09.

forward "end, this slide being adapted to be carried through a slot inthe container and bearing upon the inturned edges thereof.

In ractice, after the package is filled, the slide is inserted and thepackage is sealed and in this form is delivered to the grocer. Informing the groove for the slide, an o'flset is formed which facilitatesin the adjustment of the package upon the base A so that when it isdesired that the package be used, it is turned upside down with theopenable part at the bottom and the projecting edges thereof are slippedwithin the grooved portions B of the caddy until the package is inproper position, then theslide N is drawn out, which permits thematerial therein to flow readily into the hopper below and thence intothe rear portion of the conveyer trough. vVithin the conveyer trough Ihave provided a spiral conveyer as shown, carried upon the shaft Q,which is j ournaled in the front and rear walls of the base as shown,and in such a manner as to be properly maintained in position but at thesame time per mitting its ready rotation when desired.

In the operation of the device, materials within the receptacle aredesigned to pass within the case or housing of the spiral conveyer andby the turning of the spiral conveyer predetermined distances, thematerials will be measured out in graduated quantities and to bestfacilitate the proper receiving into the spiral conveyer chamber anddelivery of the materials therefrom, I found that the rear terminal ofthe spiral conveyer fli ht should be flared outwardly a considerabledistance and also for some little distance along its length, therebyproviding a greater space between it and the adjacent member of thespiral part of the conveyer than the normal space between the adjacentsimilar parts throughout its length.

The rear terminal flight is flared outwardly, as shown at IV in thedrawing so that it cuts under the natural slant of the material initsflow to the inclosure of the spiral and will thereby ermit of a quickeraccess thereto as the ight in turning, approaches and reaches itsdetermined stopping point, thereby obviating the disadvanta es thatmight follow a too quick turning of the conveyer by the operator.

To deliver the materials into the drawer L in measured quantities, it isdesigned that the shaft shall be turned graduated distances, namely, onecomplete revolution for the delivery of a given quantity, say a quarterpound, a half pound or a pound, and that in .the turning of the shaft,that the relative positions of the flights and the terminal ends thereofshall always remain the same. To accomplish this object, I have providedthe cam ratchet 1 rigidly secured to shaft Q, which has the singletoothed portion, as shown. To turn the shaft, I have provided the handle2 which is secured loosely upon the end of the shaft just forward of thecam. To the handle is pivotally attached the dog 3, the same beingsecured upon the pin 4 which extends outwardly some little distance fromthe dog. To the dog 3 I rigidly secure the spring bar 5 which extendsupwardly and normally lies in close relation to the stem of the handhold 6. Normally, the handle 2 occupies a vertical position but forconvenience of showing other parts, I have shown the handle 2 in Fig. 2somewhat removed from the vertical position.

In the operation of the spiral conveyer, the handle is moved fromitsverticalposition and in contact with stop 7 from left to right. Thehandle is designed to be turned one complete revolution to deliver thedesired quantity of material, and being so operated, it will be seenthat the dog 3 is designed to engage the lug on the cam 1 and as the dog3 is so positioned with relation to the enlarged portion of the cam,that when in en gagement therewith, it is slightly off center, so muchso that it is prevented from swinging backwardly and when in suchposition the spring 5 is thrown into bearing relation with the stem ofthe handle 6, thereby preventing the dog from being thrown out ofengagement with the ratchet. In my plan of operation, I have designedthat there shallbe a positive limit as to the movement of the handle 2in a given direction, and therefore have provided the stop 7 which isfixed to the pivot plate 8 so that when the handle is turned in a givendirection, it will meet the stop 7 and movement in that direction willbe arrested. The handle is first turned a single revolution and in itsmovement through the contact of the dog with the ratchet of cam 1 onshaft Q, the spiral conveyer is turned once around until the pin 4 onthe handle comes in contact with the stop 7, then the movement of thehandle is reversed and it is carried back to its original position, theshaft Q remaining still. To properly facilitate the engagement of thedog 3 with the ratchet of cam 1, the stop 7 is pivoted so that when thehandle is turned one revolution and the pin 4 strikes the stop 7, thepivoted plate 8 is carried somewhat beyond a center line through theshaft Q, there being provided the auxiliary stops 9 and 10 on plate 11to limit the movement of the pivoted plate. The arm 2 being re turned toits normal position, the pin 4 will strike the stop 7 and because of itsbeing shiftable, the center line of the arm will be carried a littlepast the center line through the shaft Q, and just far enough so thatthe dog 3 will be carried into engagement with the ratchet of cam 1, thespring 5 acting to hold the dog in such position as to throw it intoengagement at the proper time.

In the measure of materials, say for in desired weight and to providefor the diiferences between the materials, the slide G is :provided,which may be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly with relation to theterminal flight at the rear end ofrthe spiral conveyer so as to regulatethe flow of the materials thereto. Generally, a very slight adjustmentis sufiicient to compensate for the differences in materials, but asshown, considerable latitude is provided by the length of threads shownto accomplish'the desired ad- 'justment.

In applying the device practically, a containing package is placed uponthe base and the slide 0 withdrawn, which permits the material to flowreadily into the hopper, and from thence into the conveyer trough. Bythe manipulation of the handle 2, as previously described, the materialsare fed forwardly to the opening E. When a quantity of material isdesired, one revolution of the handle will cause the delivery into thereceiving drawer L of a certain graduated quantity, say a quarter pound,a half pound or a pound, and successive movements of thedhandle willmultiply the quantity delivere What I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent of the United States, is:

1. Ina device of the-class described, the combination with a fixed baseprovided with means for graduated delivery of materials therefrom, ofinterchangeable tops adapted to be used in connection therewith providedwith an openable end provided with a removable slide adapted tofacilitate the delivery of materials from said tops into the base.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a fixed baseprovided with means for graduated delivery of materials therefrom andwith grooved edges at two of the vertical sides thereof, ofinterchangeable tops adapted to be adjusted in connection therewith,provided at their lower edges at two of the sides thereof withiledges orextensions adapted to fit within the grooves in the base.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with a fixed baseprovided with means forgraduated delivery of mate rials therefrom andwith grooved edges at two of the vertical :sides thereof, ofinterchangeable tops adapted vto be adjusted in connection therewith,provided at their lower edges at two of the sides thereof with ledges orextensions adapted to fit within the grooves in the base, and providedwith an openable bottom and a removable slide for closing the bottom.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a receptacledesigned to containmaterials in bulk, of a spiral conveyer communicatingtherewith, a handle turnably related-thereto and having intermittentengagement therewith for operating the spiral conveyer ina step by stepmotion ina continuous direction, equal distances, and a stop in the.path of the moving handle to stop the movement of the spiral conveyerby contact therewith intermittently at fixed and determined distances inits revolution.

5. In adevice of the class described, the combination with a receptacleadapted to contain materials in bulk, of a spiral conveyer communicatingtherewith, a suitable housing for inclosing the spiral conveyercommunicating with the interior of the re ceptacle at one end andopening out of it near its other end, and means for intermittentlyturning the spiral conveyer in a continuous direction predetermineddistances comprising a handle, turnably related to the spiral conveyerand means connected with the'handle and intermittently engageable withthe spiral conveyer to turn it when moved in a given direction butadapted in its return movement to be disengaged therefrom and then againto engage the spiral conveyer as the means is moved in the first nameddirec tion.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination with a containerfor materials in bulk, of a delivery cylinder or chute communicatingtherewith at one end and having a delivery opening at or near its otherend, of a spiral conveyer within the container, a handle loosely carriedupon the shaft of the spiral conveyeradapted for intermittent engagementtherewith, a suitable ratchet and pawl connection between the conveyerand the handle and a suitable stop in position to arrest the movement ofthe handle whereby with the movement of the handle, the spiral conveyerwill be turned a predetermined dis tance and thenstopped and the handlewill be free to be moved back to its original position and "intoengagement with the shaft of the spiral conveyer to accomplish anotherturning of the same.

.7. In .a device of the class described, the combination withareceptacle for containing material in bulk, of a trough or cylindercontained. therein, one end thereof communicating with the interior ofthe receptacle and the other end opening out of the receptacle, of aspiral conveyer contained in the trough or cylinder, the rear endthereof flared. outwardly at a different angle from the normal angle ofthe :spiral at other portions of its length and spaced at a greaterwidth, means tnrnably related thereto and having intermittent engagementtherewith for moving the spiral convey er intermittently equal distancesin a continuousdirection, and a stop adapted to interrupt its movement.

8. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a receptacle for containing material, a trough orcylinder communicating therewith, a spiral conveyer intermittentlymovable in a given direction, means turnably related to and adapted forintermittent engagement and release of the spiral conveyer to cause thesame to be turned with a step by step motion.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination with a receptaclefor containing materials in bulk, of a conveyer suitably housed andsupported to communicate thcrewith, a slide adjustable with relation tothe rear end of the conveyer adapted to regulate the flow of materialsthereto, means turnably related to and adapted for alternate engagementand release of the spiral conveyer to facilitate the same being turnedwith a step by step motion.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination with areceptacle for containing material in bulk, of a spiral conveyerintermittently movable in the same direction, of means reversiblymovable, adapted to engage and move the spiral conveyer in one directionof its movement, and to be released therefrom by its movement in theopposite direction, whereby the conveyer will be intermittently moved ina step by step motion.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination with areceptacle for containing materials in bulk, of means for withdrawingthe materials therefrom in graduated quantities, comprising a trough orcylinder communicating with the interior of the receptacle at one endand opening out of the same at the other end, of the spiral conveyercontained therein, the ends of the flights thereof being in parallelrelation with the center of the shaft carrying the spiral, a handlecarried normally loosely upon the shaft and means connecting the shaftto the handle to facilitate intermittent engagement between the parts,and a stop for limiting the movement of the handle in a given direction.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination with areceptacle for containing materials in bulk, of means for withdrawingthe materials therefrom in graduated quantities, comprising a trough orcylinder communicating with the interior of the receptacle at one endand opening out of the same at the other end, of the spiral conveyercontained therein, the ends of the flights thereof being in parallelrelation with the center of the shaft carrying the spiral, a handlecarried normally loosely upon the shaft and means connecting the shaftto the handle to facilitate intermittent engagement between the arts,and a stop for limiting the movement of the handle in a given direction,and a slide adjustable with relation to the end of the conveyer thatcommunicates with the interior of the receptacle.

13. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a stationary receptacle for containing materials inbulk provided with a hopper therein and with engaging flanges at itsupper edge, of a removable top adjustable thereon in connection with theupper flanged edges thereof, and provided with a removable slide to openthe end of the stationary containing receptacle, a spiral conveyercommunicating with the interior of the stationary receptacle, means forturning the spiral conveyer predetermined distances, and a slideadjustable with relation to the end of the spiral conveyer thatcommunicates with the receptacle.

15. In a device of the class described, the combination of a stationarybase provided with a hopper therein and provided with grooved flanges onthe upper edges thereof, of a removable top adapted to be supportedthereon and in engagement with the flanges thereof and provided with aremovable slide at one end thereof, of a spiral conveyer communicatingwith the stationary base, the rear end thereof being flared outwardly,means for turning the conveyer predetermined distances, and a slideadjustable with relation to the rear end of the spiral conveyer.

16. In a device of the character described, the combination with areceptacle for containing materials in bulk, of means for deliveringgraduated quantities of material, comprising a spiral conveyer suitablysupported to be turned, the rear extremity of the ight thereof beingflared outwardly, a suitable housing for the conveyer communicating withthe interior of the receptacle at one end and also provided with anopening at the other end to facilitate the delivery of materialtherefrom, a handle for turning the spiral conveyer normally carriedloosely on the conveyer shaft, and means for connecting the shaft of theconveyer with the handle to provide for intermittent engagement betweenthe parts, and a stop suitably fixed in the path of the moving handlefor arresting the movement thereof.

17. In a device of the character described, the combination with areceptacle for containing materials in bulk, of means for deliveringgraduated quantities of material therefrom, comprising a spiral conveyersuitablysupported to be turned, a suitable housing for the conveyerhaving an opening therefrom through which the material may be delivered,the rear terminal flight of said conveyer being flared outwardly, ahandle for turning said spiral conveyer normally carried loosely uponthe shaft of the conveyer, and means for connecting the shaft of theconveyer with the handle to provide for intermittent engagement betweenthe parts and a pivoted stop suitably supported in the path of themovement of the handle, adapted to arrest the movement of said handle.

18. In a device of the class described, the combination with areceptacle for containing materials in bulk, of means for deliveringmaterials therefrom in graduated quantities comprising an intermittentlymovable spiral conveyer suitably supported to be turned, a suitablehousing for said conveyer communicating with the interior of thereceptacle, means for turning the spiral conveyer suitably supported tobe moved independent thereof, means for connecting the conveyer with themeans for turning it to provide for intermittent engagement between theparts whereby the conveyer may be turned in a step by step motion.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature, in presence of twowitnesses.

GUSTAV A. SCHMID.

Witnesses:

MARY E. CoMEeYs, H. V. GIBSON.

